Georgia Local Spotlight

There are those who push boundaries with their art, and then there are those who utterly annihilate them. Ryan Buck belongs to the latter category.

On Friday, October 13th, the Atlanta bass virtuoso released his hotly-anticipated new EP, simply (and aptly) entitled 10-13. An enthralling, meditative collection of otherworldly soundscapes, melodic jazz grooves, and furious, superhuman technical flourishes, 10-13 sees Buck join forces with percussionist extraordinaire Jasper Joyner to craft a superb, daringly original heavy fusion record that is truly unlike any other local release in recent memory.

One need not possess even the slightest degree of musical knowledge to appreciate the intricacies of Buck’s genre-defying compositions, nor must one play any instrument at all to realize that his abilities as a bassist are nothing short of godlike. However, those with a musical background will likely find this release all the more staggering.

Few instrumentalists have the capability (and even fewer the courage) to devise rich, multi-faceted, highly complex pieces of music such as Buck’s with only their own instrument in mind. To perform unaccompanied (or, in Buck’s case, accompanied only by a drummer), requires great confidence and mastery of one’s craft. One must possess a profound level of creativity, both as a composer and a player. All that to say…what Ryan Buck does is striking and incredibly unique. The man is fearless.

With song titles like “Attempting to Overcome” and “Infinite Possibilities”, as well as a clearly defiant, adventurous attitude toward composition present throughout the EP’s five tracks, there seems to be a theme at work on 10-13. As the record unfolds, one begins to feel a strange sense of against-all-odds optimism, empowered to seek out the best within oneself and aspire to the fullest, most sincere, most exciting life possible. Perhaps this is by design, or perhaps it’s merely the byproduct of Ryan Buck’s own no-holds-barred artistry, but for one reason or another, 10-13 resonates on nothing short of an emotional, even spiritual level. And it’s for this reason that it’s a work of unequivocal brilliance.

Daniel Graham is a songwriter, bassist, and concert organizer/promoter best known for his work in and around the Atlanta progressive/experimental scene. He actively writes, records, and performs locally, serving as the frontman and driving creative force of the progressive rock trio Great Wide Nothing, while also lending his talents to the acclaimed progressive pop/alternative band Surreal.

Additionally, Daniel spearheads Prognosis Atlanta, an annual DIY music festival celebrating and showcasing the best local talent from across the "prog" spectrum, which has introduced dozens of bands to wider audiences and helped to establish lasting connections between artists and fans alike over its six years of existence.

Daniel Graham is a songwriter, bassist, and concert organizer/promoter best known for his work in and around the Atlanta progressive/experimental scene. He actively writes, records, and performs locally, serving as the frontman and driving creative force of the progressive rock trio Great Wide Nothing, while also lending his talents to the acclaimed progressive pop/alternative band Surreal.

Additionally, Daniel spearheads Prognosis Atlanta, an annual DIY music festival celebrating and showcasing the best local talent from across the "prog" spectrum, which has introduced dozens of bands to wider audiences and helped to establish lasting connections between artists and fans alike over its six years of existence.